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Wednesday, November 7, 2018

William H. H. Ramsey - A Civil War Soldier Buried in Farmer Cemetery

Farmer Cemetery

William H. Harrison (Henry Harrison?) Ramsey lived a short, but full life. Born on September 3, 1838, little could be found on William's early life.

On August 23, 1861, he enlisted in Company I, 49th OVI. Men in this unit signed up for a three year service. The 49th participated in so many battles throughout the south after their initial appearances in Louisville, KY. Shiloh - Corinth - Murfreesboro - Battle of Stone River - Chickamauga - Missionary Ridge - and Atlanta Campaign. Ramsey was promoted to full sergeant on March 3, 1863, and to full corporal on August 26, 1863.

His, widow, Emma Ramsey, appeared on the 1890 veterans census with her deceased husband's name. That record recorded his first duty from August 23, 1861, to December 31, 1863 - two years, four days, nine months. His unit had a thirty day furlough home and at some point, Ramsey reenlisted into the veterans' army where he served from January 1, 1864, to November 30, 1865, another one year and eleven months. After Atlanta, the unit was sent to New Orleans and eventually to Texas where the 49th was mustered out at Victoria, Texas on November 30, 1865.

Harrison Ramsey married Emma Foltz in Putnam County on February 29, 1864.They applied for the license just a few days before. It might be a guess that this was during his 30 day furlough from the war, as he was not mustered out until November 1865.

By or before 1870, they were settled in Liberty Township, Putnam County, Ohio. William farmed and they had one child at that time, Frank D., six months old. Ellen Foltz, 15, lived with them - probably Emma's sister.

By 1880, the couple had settled in Farmer Township, Defiance County. He was listed on the census as W. H. Harrison Ramsey, 41. Emma, 33, had her hands full with children: Frank, 10; Lulu, 9; Ella M., 7; Orie (Ora Alice), 5; Mable, 2; and Guy, 8 months. Six children filled the house when the tragedy occurred - William H. H. Ramsey passed away on September 2, 1884.

It would appear from tidbits in the newspapers and most of all, from the census, that Emma stayed on the farm. In 1894, she sold 1/2 acre of ground in Section 10 for $225 to the commissioners for a gravel pit. She built a new milkhouse, one Farmer reporter noted. In 1900, the widowed Mrs. Ramsey lived on a farm she owned free with her children, Ella, 27; Mable, 22; and Guy, 20, all listed as farm laborers. And Emma gave her occupation as farmer.

Her obituary, so short, does not give credit to the strength of Emma Ramsey.

"Emma Ramsey departed this life September 17th, aged 55 years. The funeral was held at the home Friday afternoon. Rev. C. H. Davenport officiating. Interment in the Farmer Cemetery."Defiance Weekly Express, September 25, 1902, p. 8

She had had a stroke in early August and could never recover. The Ramsey children lost their father at 46 years old, and their mother at 55.